Candidate CampaignELECTION Literature for 2006SUPERVISOR: Election: INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS FEBRUARY 2006

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Teamsters Celebrate Black History Month ININ THISTHIS ISSUEISSUE 8 2 TEAMSTER NEWS l Miami DHL Workers Win Contract FEATURES l The Fight For Pensions l Local 120 Regains Carhaul Jobs 6 A Proud Legacy l UPS Teamsters—The Teamsters Celebrate Best In The Business Black History Month l NetJets Pilots Ratify Contract 18 Cleaning Up Waste Workers Win First Contract 16 ORGANIZING In Georgia, Florida And Alabama 16 l Health Workers 40 “We Shall Not Join Local 493 l Local 118 Welcomes Be Moved” Food Service Drivers Local 922 Celebrates l Public Employees The Life Of Rosa Parks Join Local 252 l Flight Attendants Vote “Yes” l Parking Workers Join Local 911 20 21 ELECTION MATERIAL 12 Trade Marks U.S. Trade Deficit Reaches Record Highs As Government 38 COURT MATERIAL Pursues More Destructive Trade Agreements

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters 25 Louisiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001-2198 202-624-6800

The Teamster (ISSN 1083-2394) is the official publication of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 25 Louisiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20001-2198. It is published eight times a year in February, March/April, May, June/July, August, September, October/November and December/January. Periodical postage paid at Washington, D.C. and at additional mailing offices. FEBRUARY 2006, VOLUME 103, NO. 1

© 2006 International Brotherhood of Teamsters. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Teamster, Affiliates Records Department, 25 Louisiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20001-2198. Subscription rates: $12 per year. Single copies, $2. (All orders payable in advance.) Members should send address changes to their local union. A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL PRESIDENT Remembering Rosa Parks n remembering the life of Rosa Parks, what sending jobs overseas and wages so low many stands out is the tremendous courage it took work two or three jobs just to cover their family’s for her to remain seated on that bus in 1955. basic necessities. Forty-five million Americans are In doing so, she confronted a whole system of without health insurance, and skyrocketing health injustice bearing down on her and her fellow care costs eat away at paychecks that are already African-Americans. stretched. And to make matters worse, the number The same courage is required of workers of workers with defined benefit pensions has struggling to organize in today’s economy. dropped from 41 percent to 21 percent since 1978. Unchecked corporate power, ineffective labor Clearly the frail moorings of middle-class life laws and the pressures of globalization have all are coming undone, yet the Bush administration created formidable odds. But courage, persever- shows neither concern nor initiative in finding Iance and, above all, principled solidarity are still meaningful solutions to these problems. African- the secret weapons that all people possess. American workers, continually on the frontlines of Martin Luther King Jr. also championed a layoffs and downward economic trends, are partic- vision of labor rights being synonymous with civil ularly stung by these factors. In 2005, median rights. King pointed out that the racist and the weekly wages earned by blacks fell 5 percent while labor-hater were often one and the same,“spewing wages for whites dropped 1 percent. The decline in anti-Negro epithets from one mouth and anti- black union membership no doubt plays a role in labor propaganda from the other mouth.” these losses. Sadly, Dr. King was murdered in Memphis, It is my hope that Rosa Parks’ life will serve as a Tennessee while supporting the rights of striking reminder to workers of all races and ethnic groups sanitation workers. But I think he would be heart- that there comes a time when enough is enough. ened to know that his spirit is alive and well as With corporate greed and corporate-owned politi- Teamster waste workers in Alabama, Georgia and cians making our laws and running our country, Florida recently secured first contracts achieving now is the time to be building and organizing for security for their families and respect on the job. the future. Workers can rise above these obstacles by join- “I Can Take It No Longer” ing together in trade unions, and building the kind Dr. King once described Rosa Parks’ act of civil of solidarity and strength that can challenge the disobedience as a simple breaking point where the powers that be and change the course of history. human personality cries out,“I can take it no Rosa Parks’ life is proof of that. longer.” Today’s workers are approaching a similar point as they see the hard-won victories of the past crumble around them. Today, American workers have less economic security, with corporations

www.teamster.org | FEBRUARY 2006 | TEAMSTER 1 TEAMSTERTEAMSTER NEWS Miami Slice DHL Gateway Teamsters in Florida Approve First Contract

HL workers are celebrat- job security language. Exceptional Contract first contract that will provide ing another in a long “We are ecstatic that we By ratifying the contract, the improvements across the Dstring of victories with have completed these negotia- 130 workers at MIA became board for these workers.” the overwhelming passage of a tions,”said Alex Saumell, an the third DHL gateway loca- contract in Florida. 18-year worker at the DHL tion to be protected by a Team- Looking Ahead Teamsters at the Miami Miami gateway facility. “The ster agreement this year. The solid contracts at the gate- International Airport (MIA) credit goes to Mike Scott, Don Miami gateway workers are ways set the stage for DHL DHL gateway facility Marr and all the workers here joining 300 DHL Teamsters at workers at independent approved a four-year contract at the gateway who stood John F. Kennedy International cartage contractors (ICCs) in December, gaining wage strong through this entire Airport in New York and 150 around the country who are increases, a pension plan and process.” gateway workers at Los Angeles involved in negotiations with International Airport. those operators. In addition to securing “The workers sent a mes- excellent wage increases and sage to DHL that they are lowering the cost of health proud Teamsters who will insurance for the workers, the support all the DHL workers agreement includes job securi- that are negotiating a first ty language and guarantees a contract,”said Don Marr, a minimum of 40 hours per Local 769 business agent. week for full-time employees. A major focus of the Inter- The contract also includes national Union during 2006 strong language that provides will be to secure contracts for the members with an out- those ICC workers who have standing grievance procedure chosen Teamster representa- and seniority requirements. tion. The DHL team at the “These workers were so International Union is current- excited about becoming ly assessing the needs of differ- Teamsters,”said Michael Scott, ent locals to devise strategies President of Local 769 in that will secure strong con- Miami.“This is an exceptional tracts with the ICCs.

GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

James P.Hoffa VICE PRESIDENTS TEAMSTERS CANADA CENTRAL REGION EASTERN REGION SOUTHERN REGION WESTERN REGION TRUSTEES General President AT-LARGE Robert Bouvier, Patrick W. Flynn Jack Cipriani Tyson Johnson J. Allen Hobart Frank Gallegos 25 Louisiana Ave., NW Randy Cammack President 4217 South Halsted St. P.O. Box 35405 1007 Jonelle Street 14675 Interurban Ave. S 207 North Sanborn Rd. Washington, DC 20001 845 Oak Park Road Teamsters Canada Chicago, IL 60609 Greensboro, NC 27425 Dallas, TX 75217 Suite 301 Salinas, CA 93905 Covina, CA 91724 2540 Daniel Johnson Tukwila, WA 98168 C. Thomas Keegel Suite 804 Walter A. Lytle Ken Hall Ken Wood Henry B. Perry Jr. General Secretary- Fred Gegare Laval, Quebec, Canada 2644 Cass Street 267 Staunton Ave. SW 5818 E. MLK Jr. Blvd. Chuck Mack 796 E. Brooks Ave. Treasurer 1546 Main Street H7T 2S3 Fort Wayne, IN 46808 South Charleston, WV Tampa, FL 33619 P.O. Box 2270 Memphis, TN 38116 25 Louisiana Ave., NW Green Bay, WI 54302 25303 Oakland, CA 94621 Washington, DC 20001 Tom Fraser Dotty Malinsky John Steger Carroll Haynes 1890 Meyerside Dr. 9409 Yukon Avenue S. John Murphy Jim Santangelo 25 Louisiana Ave., N.W. 216 West 14th Street Mississauga, Ontario Bloomington, MN 765 East Third Street 818 S. Oak Park Road Washington, DC 20001 New York, NY 10011 Canada L5T 1B4 55438 Boston, MA 02127 Covina, CA 91724 Tom O’Donnell Garnet Zimmerman Lester A. Singer Richard Volpe 1 Hollow Lane 7283 149th A Street 435 South Hawley St. 6 Tuxedo Avenue Suite 309 Surrey, B.C. Canada Toledo, OH 43609 New Hyde Park, NY Lake Success, NY 11042 V3S 3H4 11040 Philip E. Young Ralph J. Taurone 1668 N.W. 1000 Road 47 West 200 South Creighton, MO 64739 Suite 300 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 A Brighter Future Local 120 Wins Back Union Jobs

aul Smith always wanted the security and benefits of a union job after having one years ago. Now, thanks to Local 120 in St. Paul, PMinnesota, Smith has a brighter future as a carhaul Teamster. “I love being a Teamster,” said Smith, a driver for Allied Systems. “I feel more secure for myself and for my family.” Local 120 successfully fought to get union carhaul jobs back that had been lost to a nonunion company. As a result, Smith and three-dozen other carhaul drivers and several mechanics are now proud Teamsters. In 2000, General Motors contracted the work at Cottage Grove, Minnesota to Sierra Mountain Express, a nonunion company, putting the Teamsters out of work. Until that year, there were no nonunion Taking Care Of Business carriers in Cottage Grove. Regaining Work 395 Residential Assistants Join Local 926 The Teamsters regained the work recently by using a clause in the national carhaul contract that allows Teamster-represented companies n November 30, 395 residential assistants at Passavant to bid more competitively for work that was taken by nonunion com- Memorial Homes reached a card-check majority and joined panies. The national contract allows short-term wage adjustments as O275 of their coworkers to become members of Local 926 in a way of regaining work for the long run. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The unit has now grown to 670 people. “This contract has created new, good-paying Teamster jobs,” said Residential assistants at Passavant, who are scattered within a Louie Miller, business agent for Local 120. “Our strategy is a cancer 100-mile radius around Pittsburgh, care for mentally challenged on nonunion operators because we are starting to erode their base individuals living in group homes. of operations.” “I’m in this field because I care about people, but employees Local 120 now has a contract with two union companies: Allied are people too. We had no powers at all,”said Barry Malloy, a resi- and E&L, which are doing much of the work. dential assistant. “This is a win-win situation for our members. Our Teamster As a nonunion worker at Passavant, Malloy had to pay a $500 carhaul members receive solid wages and receive full health and deductible when he had lab work and surgery last year. “It’s like I took a $500 pay cut,”he said.“I’ve heard so many pension benefits,” said Fred Zuckerman, Director of the Teamsters stories of single mothers with children—a lot of them refuse to Carhaul Division. “We’re going to work with Local 120 and with other go to the doctor because they can’t afford it. That’s why I wanted local unions to regain more work through this process.” a union.” Neutrality and Card-Check Local 926 won a neutrality and card-check agreement with Passa- vant in November 2004. “I explained to the company’s lawyer that we have a protection rights clause, which allows us to honor a picket line,”said Charlie Byrnes, Local 926 Secretary-Treasurer.“I think the fear of know- ing that we had the power to shut them down on the organized end was the motivating factor. They didn’t want that problem.” “Having a neutrality agreement made this campaign much easier,”said Gwen Helms, a union steward at Passavant.“But it’s never been about the money for me. It’s always been about being treated fairly, and having a say how we take care of people.”

www.teamster.org | FEBRUARY 2006 | TEAMSTER 3 TEAMSTER NEWS

The Fight For Pensions Hoffa, Union Lead Effort to Protect Vested Benefits

hen Congress began its multiemployer pension 2005 legislative session, funds—the Multiemployer Wthe Teamsters put Pension Plan Coalition. The together a plan aimed at get- members of the group shared ting the House and Senate to a goal of achieving pension finish a job they had begun legislation that would mod- the year before: protecting ernize accounting rules for multiemployer pension funds. pensions and give funds the These funds—which cover tools they needed to recover 10 million working Ameri- from stock market swings. cans, including 750,000 The International also Teamsters—suffered signifi- engaged Teamsters across the cant losses due to the stock country in the fight for pen- market slump of 2000 sion protection, resulting in through 2002. over 100,000 members sign- on a number of measures because none responded ade- As part of that effort, the ing the Teamsters’ Pension related to pension protection. quately to the needs of multi- Teamsters worked with a Protection Petition. employer pension funds—and group of unions, trade associ- In response to that More Harm than Good a number of them would actu- ations and employers who groundswell of support, the The Teamsters withheld sup- ally have done more harm also had a stake in protecting House and Senate began work port for those proposals than good.

Sunny Skies raises wages by 40 to 60 percent, wage increases, the new contract NetJets Pilots Ratify “Unprecedented Contract” strengthens job security and also features strengthened improves scheduling-related “scope” language, which prevents n a recent victory, more than Columbus, Ohio—ratified a five- issues for pilots at the airline. the company from farming out I 2,000 pilots at NetJets Inc.— year contract by a more than a “This is an excellent con- Local 1108 pilots’ work. In addi- represented by Local 1108 in 4-1 margin. The new agreement tract,” said J.B. Cockrell, a four- tion, the pact grants pilots year pilot who flies out of the San greater ability to choose how they Francisco gateway. “It’s obvious— build their schedule. 84 percent voted in favor of it.” “This takes the workers up to “This agreement assures a the level of the legacy carriers in better future for pilots and their terms of wages, working condi- families,” said Bill Olsen, Local tions and benefits,” said Don Tre- 1108 President. “NetJets will no ichler, Teamsters Airline Division longer be a stepping stone to a Director. “This is an unprecedent- career in the aviation industry, ed contract.” but rather a company where Four-Year Struggle pilots make their careers.” Recognized as the safest in the In addition to significant

4 TEAMSTER | FEBRUARY 2006 | www.teamster.org “Our members work hard and are entitled to Some members of Con- pass a bill to provide meaning- informed Congress that it was gress were pushing a proposal ful relief for multiemployer no longer in the best interest receive the pension that called the “red zone” provi- plans while protecting Team- of Teamster members to they earned, and no one sion, which would have sters’ vested benefits. actively support efforts to pass should be able to take allowed fund administrators to pension legislation in the reduce a participant’s vested No Cut in Vested Benefits 2005 session. At the same that away from them.” benefits. “The final weeks of a legisla- time, the Teamsters withdrew — JAMES P. HOFFA, In the hope that these prob- tive session are typically support for the Multiemploy- TEAMSTERS GENERAL PRESIDENT lems would be resolved and marked by backroom deals er Pension Plan Coalition’s result in a positive bill, the and limited transparency,” proposal—due in part to dis- pension that they earned,” Teamsters cautiously support- said Government Affairs agreements over the “red Hoffa stated in his letter to ed the process moving for- Director Mike Mathis. “If you zone” provision. Congress, “and no one should ward. But after months of push Congress to take action “Our members work hard be able to take that away work, many of the Teamsters’ on an important issue under and are entitled to receive the from them.” concerns had still not been those circumstances, you run addressed—including the so- the risk of ending up with a called “red zone” language. bill that does more harm than With the legislative session good.” UPS Teamsters— drawing to a close it became Given that reality, General unlikely that Congress could President James P. Hoffa The Best In The Business Parcel Members Deliver During Holiday Season

nce again, UPS Teamsters answered the call this holiday Oseason by delivering millions of packages on time, includ- fractional-airline industry, Net- equipment,” said Alan Hayes, a ing the peak day of December 20, when more than 20 million Jets pilots had been in contract three-year NetJets pilot. “While packages were delivered worldwide. negotiations with the company’s all of these investors are enjoy- The peak day figure translates into 230 packages delivered ownership since their last con- ing the fruits of our labor, our every second. tract became amendable on pilots were struggling to make The next day, Decem- October 1, 2001. The union ends meet. Mr. Buffett has ber 21, brought another membership rejected a tentative always had a reputation of pay- high: more than 5 million agreement presented in August ing exceptional employees what air express packages 2004 by 82 percent. they deserve. We only asked for delivered worldwide. In late April 2005, the pilots the same consideration.” “Our members at UPS did something no group had ever Fractional-ownership airlines are the best workers in done before: picket the annual like NetJets fly some of the the package-delivery shareholder meeting of Berkshire world’s wealthiest and most industry, and this past Hathaway, Warren Buffet’s con- influential individuals to destina- holiday season they glomerate, in Omaha, Nebraska. tions on-demand. With over half proved it once again,” “At the time, our pilots were the market share, NetJets domi- said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters being paid around half the indus- nates the industry. General President. try average for flying the same

www.teamster.org | FEBRUARY 2006 | TEAMSTER 5 TEAMSTERS CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH hen Ferline Buie joined Local 922 in bers rather than abandon the principles of the union. At one Washington, D.C in 1966, she didn’t point in the 1950s, he and Vice President Harold Gibbons expect to be a member for very long. traveled to New Orleans to lead an organizing campaign at a She viewed her job at Hertz as “an in- chemical plant but were stonewalled by white workers between position.”She didn’t know demanding a separate local for black workers. Hoffa refused, much about the Teamsters, but as a knowing they would lose the election because of the decision. young black woman, she did not Hoffa was angry about the loss but felt the union was better Wthink there was much in it for her. After attending a few meet- off without such racist attitudes.“We don’t need ‘em,”he said. ings, she was pleased to discover there was much more to the “Their way is not the Teamster way.” union than she thought. In fact, she could envision herself as a Joe Nero, who became a member of Local 272 in New York local union officer. City in 1941, remained a proud Teamster until his death in That aspiration started her on a path she never imagined 2004 at the age of possible. 103. He always “I went to the president of the local at the time, a man maintained that named Ed Monahan, and told him my ambition. To my sur- unions were the prise, he took me seriously,”Buie said.“He said my race and best thing to hap- gender didn’t matter if I was consistent, loyal and as involved pen to black as possible in the union. It changed my life.” workers. Today, Buie is the President of both Local 922 and Joint “The Team- Council 55. sters did me right The Teamsters Union has always been ahead of other and gave me a unions in terms of its treatment of minority members. good life. They Women and minorities were part of the membership from the didn’t care if I was beginning, with black Teamsters in attendance at the founding black or white,”he convention. said.“Being in the union was the difference between a good life and a tough one. Always was, always will be.” Pioneer of Diversity Early on, leadership in the union believed in “no color line” and Fighting for Equality was strongly against separate unions for African-Americans. A From its earliest days, the Teamsters fought for racial equality. 1903 group portrait of the first New Orleans local shows that Part of a contract for female laundry workers in 1917 includ- half of the officers were black. And in a 1906 issue of the Team- ed a non-negotiable provision that black women must be paid ster magazine, there was an impassioned call for all local unions the same as white women doing the same job. to organize black workers, particularly in the South. By World War I, the Teamsters were on their way to being General President James R. Hoffa was strongly opposed to one of the most diverse organizations in the country. During segregation of any kind and chose to forfeit prospective mem- the war, African-American workers patriotically stepped into

www.teamster.org | FEBRUARY 2006 | TEAMSTER 7 jobs previously held only by whites, but still faced unjust prac- Liuzzo had been among Teamsters participating in a civil tices from employers. In numerous cases, the Teamsters rights march in Alabama. The night of the march, on a stretch stepped in and offered the workers the protection of the of Interstate 80 between Montgomery and Selma, Liuzzo was union, ensuring fair treatment. In 1919, the union adopted the shot by a segregationist. Teamsters and civil rights activists national slogan,“Equal pay for equal work,”a signal that the from around the country, including James R. Hoffa and Dr. Teamsters were strongly supportive of all their members. Martin Luther King, Jr., gathered for her funeral. “I have always been treated fairly and been allowed to Teamsters were not always praised for their views on work- advance as my skills developed with no hindrance because of er equality. Companies bent on dividing members have used it my race or gender,”said Sheryl Allen, a superintendent with as a union-busting tactic as have race-baiting politicians bent New York City Housing and member of Local 237 in New on proving unions to be a scourge on society. Despite these York City since 1984.“The Teamsters are the reason that free- attacks, the union has remained firm in its belief in equality dom and opportunity exists. In fact, the strength and support for all members. from our local has “As black members, we have done much to improve our helped make my own situation in the union and in the workplace over the last department one of few decades,”said Antonio Christian, Recording Secretary of the most progressive Local 853 in Oakland, California and Deputy Commissioner in the city govern- of the Teamsters Human Rights Commission.“Forming the ment.” Teamsters National Black Caucus and learning to speak up for our interests were important steps. But one of the most A New Era important steps has been to educate ourselves on the true mis- The 1960s brought a sion of the union and to actively implement that mission.” new era to the union—especially A Mighty Force involving social justice. Early on, the Teamsters recognized the need to push for equal- In April 1961, Team- ity and justice in arenas beyond the workplace and used their sters collected four tons of food and clothing for evicted share- strength to shape progressive legislation. In 1959, the union croppers in Tennessee. In addition, General President Hoffa developed a political action group called DRIVE (Democrat announced that locals across the country would help provide Republican Independent Voter Education) to advance a pro- food and clothing to black families who were being punished for worker agenda at all levels registering to vote in the 1960 presidential election. of government. Teamsters did more than send supplies to help fight racial Many black members, injustice. On August 28, 1963, hundreds and hundreds of particularly women, Teamsters were among the more than 250,000 people taking became actively involved part in the historic March to Freedom in Washington, D.C. in DRIVE. Throughout where they heard Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have the 1960s, hundreds of a Dream” speech. black Teamster women “When I went to work for ETWC Trucking in 1970, every- (members and spouses) one knew about the Teamsters’ role in civil rights and also how joined in “storming Capi- the Teamsters National Master Freight Agreement of 1964 tol Hill” every spring in changed lives,”said Henry Perry, an International Trustee and Washington, D.C. The President of Local 667 in Memphis.“Black workers were mov- women called on their rep- ing into the middle class for the first time, not having to scrape resentatives and asked the barrel just to survive, gaining rights they were entitled to pointed questions about by law. The differences were unbelievable—everyone wanted a voting records and support Teamster job. Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters were hailed as for pro-labor legislation. heroes in my neck of the woods—and they still are today.” African-American members are still very active in Teamster political action efforts and are part of many different caucuses Battle Scars keeping an eye on inequality in the workplace and in Wash- The Teamsters’ involvement in social causes was not without ington. Groups such as the Teamsters National Black Caucus consequences. On the morning after the Teamsters adopted a and the Teamsters Women’s Caucus are all hard at work to civil rights resolution to contribute money to Dr. Martin support the importance of Teamster diversity. Luther King Jr. in 1965, a civil rights activist who was the wife “The key to a successful experience in the union is partici- of a business agent from a Detroit local was murdered. Viola pation. I know this from experience. At a low point in my life,

8 TEAMSTER | FEBRUARY 2006 | www.teamster.org Man With A Mission

The Life of John H. Cleveland 1903: The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is formed by the amalgama- book on the life of John H. Cleveland, the first black International Vice President of tion of two team the Teamsters Union, is being published by the Teamsters. The book, “A Biography A driver unions. of John H. Cleveland: A Man with a Mission,” was developed to educate members on Black and white one of the union’s most important black leaders and will be released to locals and delegates attend Joint Councils this month as part of the celebration of Black History Month. first meeting. Cleveland became a member of Local 730 in Washington, D.C. in 1937 and served as the principal officer for more than 1906: Team- 30 years. He also served as President of Joint Council 55 and the sters speak out Eastern Conference Director of the Warehouse Division. Cleve- against other land, born in Georgia in 1912, was a veteran of World War II and a unions where separate locals are formed lifelong activist for civil rights as a member of the NAACP. for black members. Cleveland was a pioneering organizer of black workers in the south during the 1950s and early 1960s and fought hard to end 1916: Teamsters represent women Jim Crow laws in the region. He also led the way for black workers laundry workers. A non-negotiable part of in the nation’s capital to achieve respect and a better standard of the contract is that black women must be living. His wife, Eula, was also a lifelong Teamster activist who received a Lifetime paid the same wages as white women. Achievement Award at the union’s Centennial celebration in 2003. 1917: During World War I, Teamsters A Great Leader push employers to hire men and women of “John Cleveland was a great man, a great Teamster and a great leader,” said Jim Hoffa, all races to take jobs traditionally held by Teamsters General President. “Sharing the story of his achievements with our members is whites. long overdue. I am pleased that he is getting the recognition he deserves in this book.” 1919: Teamsters take on the official Cleveland’s biography was written by Joy Copeland, a professional writer living in slogan “Equal Pay for All.” Northern Virginia. Copeland, born in Harlem, was inspired by her subject. “Working on the John Cleveland biography was a wonderful assignment,” Copeland 1920: Teamsters take said. “The enthusiasm of the interviewees for the biography inspired me. It was conta- on more crafts, including gious. They wanted John’s story told and talked about him as if he were still alive.” dockworkers, construction workers and warehouse- men, increasing the number of black members. 1932: Teamsters dis- avow the official practice of making sure white mem- bers were given jobs first held by other union members. 1934: Teamsters oppose Jim Crow laws in the South. 1942: During World War II, many African-Americans become members of the union as jobs open up in war production areas. 1950: Black leaders receive more official recognition, including awards and stories in the union magazine.

www.teamster.org | FEBRUARY 2006 | TEAMSTER 9 Chester Glanton: Teamster Trailblazer Advancing the Role of Black Members a Priority 1961: Team- sters send sup- hester Glanton, International Vice President At-Large from 1999 until his death in plies to Freedom C2001, loved the union and all it stood for—particularly in terms of equality for Village in all workers. Alabama. “The Teamsters are leaders because they were willing to give black workers recognition and a chance to move forward 1963: long before anyone else did,” Glanton said. Teamsters give Glanton began his career as a Teamster shop steward for $25,000 to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Local 743 in Chicago. His skills earned him the notice of the civil rights organization. Teamsters from local’s officers and he was brought on to the staff as an orga- across the country attend the March on nizer. Through hard work and involvement, he was elected Presi- Washington. dent of the local in 1995. Glanton was always centrally involved 1965: Viola in efforts to meet the needs of black members, including Liuzzo is murdered. participation in the fledgling Black Caucus in 1976. He also served as an officer in Teamsters and civil the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. rights leaders “Chester Glanton was a leader who inspired members—black and white—to attend funeral. devote their lives to improving the standard of living for all workers,” said Tom Keegel, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer. “He is sorely missed.” 1975: Team- sters National Black Caucus is formed. 1976: John Cleveland becomes the first black International Vice President. 1985: Local 237 in New York sup- ports Columbia University students in their rally against Apartheid, giving mon- etary dona- tions and other support. 1986: Clara Day helps found the Teamsters Women’s Caucus. 1999: Chester Glanton elected Inter- national Vice President At-Large. 2001: Carl Haynes appointed Interna- tional Vice President. Ron McLain becomes International Trustee. 2004: Ferline Buie elected first black woman Joint Council President. 2005: Henry Perry becomes Interna- tional Trustee. Black Caucus Celebrates 30th Anniversary.

10 TEAMSTER | FEBRUARY 2006 | www.teamster.org getting involved with the local gave me hope,”said Milton are by unions.” Lewis, Vice President of Local 70 in Oakland, California. The momentum “When I decided to run for office, people told me a black of sparked by the civil ficer in the local was unheard of and would never happen. I rights movement tried anyway and won. I realized then that the only reason continues today. things are unheard of is because no one pushes hard enough One example was to make them happen.” the Teamsters sup- port for the October Hope for the Future 2005 Millions More Roy Gillespie, a 29-year member of Local 600 in St. Louis, sees Movement March in participation as the key to strengthening the power of the Washington, D.C. union in society as well.“There is a lot of apathy out there Some of the march’s about the labor movement and its importance and we as goals included members don’t do enough to counter that attitude,”he said. reforming health care and the pension system as well as fighting “The Teamsters are initiating great new programs that to bring a living wage to all Americans. will provide opportunities for black members to become “The Million Man March was missing the voice of labor in even more involved in the union,”said Al Mixon, Secretary- 1995,”said Chris Silvera, President of the Teamsters National Treasurer of Local 507 in Cleveland. “The new leadership of Black Caucus.“I am very glad that we were here to represent the Change to Win federation embodies diversity in the labor labor, and I want to thank General President Hoffa for his movement to the fullest, which will help encourage black support, which is a bold step and bodes well for the future of member involvement from those not sure how valued they our organization.”

you. I would also say talk to older members Carl Haynes and find out what the union means to them and Henry Perry beyond their contracts and what the values of : the union are. These steps are particularly Q&A important for black members because they may not have the family traditions in union eamster magazine recently spoke with Inter- significant contributions in membership that white members may have. Tnational Vice President Carl Haynes and many areas in the last cen- International Trustee Henry Perry—both mem- tury—including great orga- Q: How can the union help encourage more bers of the General Executive Board—about the nizing victories and improv- black members to get involved in shaping history of African-American members in the ing conditions in their work- the union’s future? Teamsters and their contributions to the union. places. But as a group, the PERRY: I see great changes ahead for black Q: How has union membership affected the most significant contribu- members on many levels. More black mem- lives of black members? tion was by their very presence in the union. By bers have become active in the union in HAYNES: Teamster mem- that I mean an integrated union provided recent years and they have now gained the bership gave black workers opportunities for barriers to be broken, for skills and experience to move into leadership rights and opportunities understanding of different cultures to occur roles in greater numbers. The Change to Win that were not available to and for lasting friendships to form that never federation and new strategies for organizing them in other areas of soci- would have happened if black members had will give black members the chance to help ety. As a Teamster, a black not been included in the union. The Teamsters bring more minorities into the union and raise worker could count on the are much stronger because of it. their living standards through better wages same wages as white workers doing the same Q: What advice would you give to a young and benefits. Black members will have more work and those wages offered him a far better black member starting out in the union? opportunities to educate their communities standard of living than nonunion workers. HAYNES: My advice would be the same to on the importance of unions—especially as Q: Over the years, what do you see as the young members of any race: get involved, know larger numbers of women and minorities most significant contributions from African- your representatives and make sure they know enter the workforce. We need to help young American members? you. Know your contract, know your rights and people, especially in urban areas, see that there are many paths to a successful life and PERRY: Individual black Teamsters have made know what the union can and cannot do for the Teamsters can help them get there.

www.teamster.org | FEBRUARY 2006 | TEAMSTER 11 TRADE U.S. TRADE DEFICIT REACHES RECORD HIGHS AS GOVERN

ince the passage of the North Ameri- rising income inequality, suppressed real can Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), wages for production workers, weakened Smore than a million jobs have been workers’ collective bargaining powers and lost—many of them good-paying union ability to organize unions, and reduced jobs. Most of those jobs ended up in sub- health and pension benefits. How can U.S. poverty sweatshops in Mexico and now in workers compete in this global race to the China, where workers are regularly denied bottom? The answer is, they can’t. the right to form unions, much less earn a Rather than learn from NAFTA and 10 decent wage. years under the rules of the World Trade The loss of these jobs is just the most Organization (WTO), the U.S. continues visible tip of NAFTA’s impact on the U.S. to move in the same direction—pushing economy. NAFTA has also contributed to for the same trade rules and policies that have proven a disaster for U.S. workers and the economy. When it was established “The Teamsters believe trade agreements can actually produce in 1995, the WTO’s preamble stated that benefits for workers, but in order for that to happen they must be its purpose was to bring about greater prosperity, increase employment, reduce based on the principles of fair trade. It is time for the United poverty, diminish inequality, and promote States to once again take the lead in spreading prosperity sustainable development around the world around the globe, instead of promoting the exploitation of both through greater free trade. Since then, unemployment has climbed foreign and domestic workers.” — JACK CIPRIANI, TEAMSTERS INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT around the world and the quality of exist-

12 TEAMSTER | FEBRUARY 2006 | www.teamster.org MARKS MENT PURSUES MORE DESTRUCTIVE TRADE AGREEMENTS

ing employment has eroded. As a direct summit in Mar de Plata, Argentina. Fortu- The Next result of the WTO’s policies, many work- nately, this plan was thwarted by a Bad Idea ers are driven into this informal, unpro- resounding “no” from workers around the As part of this tected and unregulated economy. world. plan, the admin- Even worse, the WTO has been used “The Teamsters led the way in scuttling istration is already in to advance the interests of international those talks,”said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters the process of negotiating a corporations beyond trade. The tenta- General President.“We stood together free trade deal with Panama. It is also cles of the WTO now reach into the with our allies in Congress, union leaders working on another agreement with sev- areas of development, investment, com- and workers from all over the hemisphere eral Andean countries, including Peru, petition, intellectual property rights, to prevent the administration from Ecuador and Colombia, known as the public services, environmental protec- extending NAFTA throughout the Ameri- Andean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA). tion, immigration and government pro- cas with the stroke of a pen.” Along with human rights advocates across curement. The expanding role of the Unfortunately, while the FTAA may be the Americas, the Teamsters are outraged WTO means that the march of unre- dead at the moment, the passage of CAFTA that the Bush administration would even stricted free trade no longer affects just and the Chile Free Trade Agreement has consider granting free trade status to manufacturing workers, it harms all emboldened the administration to move Columbia given its record of persecuting A workers. full steam ahead with its hemisphere-wide trade unionists. free trade agenda. The administration’s plan In November, the Teamsters joined “No” to FTAA is to attempt to enact piecemeal what it labor leaders from South America at a In November 2005, the Bush administra- could not accomplish as a whole, negotiat- rally to spell out the case against AFTA. tion attempted to jumpstart the Free ing trade agreement after trade agreement “The Teamsters call on the administra-

ILLUSTRATION BY ROBERT PEREID BY ROBERT ILLUSTRATION Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) at a using the NAFTA model as its template. tion to stop the global race to the bottom

www.teamster.org | FEBRUARY 2006 | TEAMSTER 13 and instead begin to negotiate trade the globe, instead of promoting the the region, some question the timing of agreements that benefit all workers,”said exploitation of both foreign and domestic moving forward with the negotiations John Murphy, Teamsters International workers.” process right now. Vice President.“We call on the adminis- The long-term vision of the free trade “My son, Gary, was deployed to Iraq in tration to abandon a trade model that is a camp extends beyond agreements with support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and proven failure. countries in this hemisphere to Asia, is still serving in the United States Marine “The Teamsters believe trade agree- Africa and the Middle East. In December, Corps, so I have a personal interest in ments can actually produce benefits for the administration passed a free trade Middle East issues,”said Gary LaBarbera, workers, but in order for that to happen agreement with Bahrain, and is in discus- President of Local 282 in Lake Success, they must be based on the principles of sions with Oman, the United Arab Emi- New York.“I just can’t understand how fair trade,”said Jack Cipriani Teamsters rates, and possibly Qatar and Kuwait. the administration would even think International Vice President. “It is time Given the instability in the Middle East as about turning the Middle East into a free for the United States to once again take a whole, along with the horrendous trade zone while so much of it remains a the lead in spreading prosperity around human rights records of certain nations in militarized zone.” Going Global Taking the Trade Fight Across International Borders

he debate over global trade Teamsters are taking the fight for China, Australia and Brazil called our strategy to grow the labor Tpolicy is no longer a matter of workers’ rights to the global for a global response to the glob- movement.” U.S. jobs versus foreign jobs. It is arena. al assault on workers’ rights. The Teamsters Union has now about the ability of workers Mirroring the new spirit of In addressing the conference, already begun to incorporate this around the world to join forces cooperation among the world’s Teamsters International Vice Pres- international approach to its leg- against the rising tide of multina- unions when it comes to major ident Chuck Mack spoke of the islative strategy. Last fall, the tional greed and exploitation. organizing campaigns, the Team- need for unions to retool in order Bush administration began its The Teamsters will continue to sters are enlisting our brothers to be better prepared for the chal- effort to garner support in Con- use the record of past trade deals and sisters from other countries in lenges of the global economy. gress for the Andean Free Trade to bolster the case that free trade the battle against free trade. “More than ever before, we Agreement, or AFTA. At the same does not work for U.S. workers or Teamster Strategy have to look and think beyond our time, the Teamsters showed up on the U.S. economy. However, just own borders,” Mack said. “And we Capitol Hill with a delegation of This past November at a Change as corporate America has taken need to strengthen the link labor leaders from South America to Win conference on organizing its quest for profits overseas, the between our political action and to lobby against the pact. and politics, union leaders from

14 TEAMSTER | FEBRUARY 2006 | www.teamster.org Broken Promises Showing a level of shamelessness that Our combined trade deficit with Canada and Mexico alone is now would make a snake oil salesman blush, more than 10 times what it was before NAFTA went into effect, the administration and its allies in Con- gress are trying to sell the American pub- going from $9 billion to $95 billion in the last decade. lic on the prospect that the next trade deal won’t be as bad as the last one. times what it was before NAFTA went into same thing over and over but expecting a However, facts refute their rhetoric. In effect, going from $9 billion to $95 billion different result,”Hoffa said.“The Team- every case in which the U.S. has concluded in the last decade. And, since granting sters are going to make sure that members a comprehensive free trade agreement China Permanent Normal Trade Relations of Congress know that AFTA is just the with another country, the trade balance in 2000, the U.S. trade deficit with that same old failed trade model wrapped in a has gotten worse, not better. country has continued to increase. In new set of lies. We’re going to return some Our combined trade deficit with Cana- 2004, it hit a record high of $162 billion. sanity to the trade debate.” da and Mexico alone is now more than 10 “The definition of insanity is doing the No Más In Colombia, a Union Worker is Killed Every Week olombia is the most dangerous So far there has not been a against unions enjoy the tacit ters in the South American labor Ccountry in the world to be a single case in which those respon- approval of the Columbian govern- movement to raise public aware- trade unionist. In the last 10 years, sible for these murders have been ment. Federal officials have made ness about Columbia’s dirty little more than 2,000 trade unionists tried or convicted, despite numer- it clear that they place a much secret,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters have been killed. In 2004 alone, ous pleas from national and inter- higher value on investment from General President. “We will call 99 unionists were murdered and national organizations. multinational corporations than on members of Congress to reject 445 were threatened. In 2005, an The Colombian government’s the lives and livelihoods of their any effort to include Columbia in average of one union worker a failure to investigate such crimes own citizens. any free trade agreement until week was killed. and bring the perpetrators to justice The government fears that they reverse their record on labor Those murdered were union encourages further human rights vio- strengthening labor rights will push rights, or else they risk being leaders and activists fighting for lations against unionists and sends companies to countries with even accused of aiding and abetting decent wages, the right to orga- a message to paramilitary groups cheaper and more exploitable the murderers of Columbia’s nize and job security. They were that they can kill with impunity. workforces, such as China. union leaders.” demanding a better life for the Preparing for AFTA “In preparation for the debate workers they represent, and paid over AFTA, the Teamsters are Those who are waging this cam- for it with their lives. working with our brothers and sis- paign of terror and intimidation

www.teamster.org | FEBRUARY 2006 | TEAMSTER 15 ORGANIZING

Health Workers Stand Up Nursing Home Employees Fight Insurance Cuts

or Drema Madera, a 20- children. tary-Treasurer Tom Schlink in were interested in organizing year employee of Haven “It became completely the campaign, but Tom really the workers,“but the workers FHealth Center of Wind- unaffordable,”Madera said. led the charge,”Hogan said. were adamant about joining the ham, Connecticut, the last “He kept the workers united in Teamsters. They realized the straw came when manage- Overwhelming Victory their fight for respect.” Teamsters provide the strongest ment took away affordable As a result, Madera and her Bevan Sweet, the local’s representation,”he said. health insurance for her and coworkers recently voted 71-6 President, was also instrumen- Madera said management her coworkers whose job it is to join Local 493 in Uncasville, tal in the campaign. changes a few years ago have to make sure others are Connecticut. There are 106 “This is just the latest orga- led to many of the recent prob- healthy. members in the bargaining nizing victory under the lems. Regarding the staffing, “Our administrator told us, unit. umbrella of Joint Council 10,” two housekeepers used to han- ‘you had better plan on not “In addition to seeking Hogan said. “Joint Council 10 dle the 40-bed wings, but man- getting sick,’”Madera said of affordable health coverage, the Secretary-Treasurer Dave agement cut that to one house- the nursing home manage- workers are concerned about Laughton has made organiz- keeper per wing. Workers also ment’s callous attitude.“They adequate staffing,”said Mike ing a top priority and it’s are concerned because manage- informed us of the cut in Hogan, an organizer with Joint showing.” ment recently took over control health insurance by putting a Council 10 in Boston. of the employees’ 401(k) plans memo inside our paycheck The housekeeping and Negotiations Under Way so that it is more difficult to envelopes.” laundry workers at Haven Schlink said Local 493 has access the accounts, Madera The cuts made health insur- Health Center voted 10-0 to formed a 10-member negotiat- said. ance too expensive by estab- join Local 493, while the certi- ing committee made up of “We want better retirement lishing a $2,500 deductible for fied nurses’ assistants and workers, which has met six security in general,”Madera employees who are single, a kitchen employees at the cen- times. They hope to wrap up a said.“Many of us have worked $5,000 deductible for married ter voted 61-6 to join the first contract shortly. here for a long time and we employees and a $7,500 union. Schlink said two other need to know our retirements deductible for employees with “I assisted Local 493 Secre- unions besides the Teamsters will be more secure.”

16 TEAMSTER | FEBRUARY 2006 | www.teamster.org MULTIPLE LOCALS dants group who want a strong ative to other distribution cen- LOCAL 911 collective voice,”said Don Tre- ters in the area and pensions North American Airlines ichler, Teamsters Airline Divi- were key issues that they want- Ampco System Parking light attendants at North sion Director. ed to address.” ired of low wages, high American Airlines Inc., a The workers held strong in health-insurance premi- Fcharter carrier that pro- LOCAL 533 the face of an aggressive, anti- Tums and rampant vides service to civilian and union campaign to form their favoritism, 55 cashiers, parking military passengers, have voted Lithia Motors union. attendants and traffic directors to join the Teamsters. Approxi- ired of being mistreated by “I want to welcome these at Ampco System Parking mately 230 members are in the management, workers at a workers as the newest members joined Local 911 in Long group. Tcar dealership in Sparks, of our local,”said Steve Mazza, Beach, California. “Flight attendants deserve Nevada overwhelmingly voted President of Local 118.“We Support for forming a industry standard pay and to join Local 533 in Reno. The plan on dedicating unprece- union at Ampco System Park- working conditions. We also 10-member unit at Lithia dented resources to organizing ing at the Long Beach Airport want job security,”said Sarah Motors consists of lot atten- so that we can continue on our was unanimous. As a result, Mill, a flight attendant based in dants, parts department work- path to growth.” the victory was through card Oakland, California.“Only ers and service department check, thus avoiding a formal with a united front can we employees. LOCAL 252 election. secure these rights and ensure Before the election, all 10 Now, Eden Correa and her a better life for our families. workers approached the Team- Yelm Public Works coworkers at the airport are The strength of the Teamsters sters and immediately signed welve employees of the negotiating a first contract. can help us do that.” cards for representation. Lithia Yelm, Washington Public “Right now, I only earn “These flight attendants is the first Reno-area car dealer- TWorks Department are $7.50 an hour as a cashier have shown that they want us ship with unionized employees. now members of Local 252 when the company is paying to represent them in their “These workers had not after all 12 signed union new hires $8 an hour to start,” struggle for fairness and digni- received a raise in seven years,” authorization cards. Correa said. ty on the job,”said George said Mark Tracy, Local 533 “The public works employ- “The union is fighting for Miranda, International Repre- Secretary-Treasurer.“They are ees had the opportunity to see major improvements in wages sentative for the Airline Divi- also tired of being mistreated the representation we provided and benefits,”said Jose Mon- sion and Secretary-Treasurer by management. The employ- to their colleagues in the police jaras, a Local 911 organizer. of Local 210 in New York City. ees were constantly being department,”said Gary John- “Under the current company “They understand that only threatened with their jobs, and ston, a business agent with plan, there are single mothers through collective bargaining they were being forced to Centralia, Washington-based who need medical coverage for can they achieve those goals.” report to work and stay there Local 252. their children but can’t afford North American Airlines is all day without pay if there was “The workers are seeking a it. We plan to change that.” owned by World Air Holdings, no flat rate work available.” strong voice to address their “I tell the other workers, Inc., and based at John F. issues: wages, hours and work- ‘don’t be afraid to speak up, to Kennedy International Airport LOCAL 118 ing conditions,”said Johnston, ask questions.’The union has in Jamaica, New York, Logan who works in the local’s taught us that we have rights,” International Airport in Palmer Food Service Olympia office. said Martha Moncada, a Boston, and Oakland Interna- rivers at Palmer Food Support for forming a cashier and member of the tional Airport. The flight Service in Rochester, union with the Teamsters was negotiating committee. attendants join more than DNew York voted to join unanimous. As a result, the The majority of the work- 30,000 Teamsters in the airline Local 118. victory was through card ers are recent immigrants industry, including approxi- There are 21 workers in the check, thus avoiding a formal from Mexico, El Salvador and mately 150 pilots at North bargaining unit. election. The state’s Public Guatemala. What happened in American Airlines, and 600 “The workers really wanted Employment Relations Com- Long Beach reflects an impor- flight attendants and 400 pilots meaningful dialogue with the mission certified the bargain- tant victory for immigrant at World Airways. company,”said Paul Markwitz, ing unit. workers fighting for fair treat- “This is a great success for a Local 118 business agent. ment and a voice in the work- members of the flight atten- “The workers said that pay rel- place.

www.teamster.org | FEBRUARY 2006 | TEAMSTER 17 he night of December 18, Tyra Johnson showed up at the Allied Waste/BFI center in Lawrenceville, Georgia around 11 p.m. There were nearly eight hours before she had to report for her morning shift as a container delivery driver. But first, Johnson had a different job to do—winningT approval for her first Teamster contract. A leader in the organizing campaign at Allied Waste’s Lawrenceville/Gainesville site in April of 2004, Johnson was back to finish the job. From 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., she and the lead organiz- er shuttled between the two sites to convince workers to vote in favor of the contract.

WASTE WORKERS WIN FIRST CONTRACT IN GEORGIA, FLORIDA AND ALABAMA

18 TEAMSTER | FEBRUARY 2006 | www.teamster.org “I had to let them know what was at stake with this contract,” increases, improved wage structures and a voice on the job Johnson said. “Hearing from one of their coworkers—that really for the first time. The wins came after a year and a half of pumped them up.” negotiations, during which the company constantly tried to The overnight marathon of worker-to-worker contact paid off— undermine support for the union; management granted rais- members at Lawrenceville/Gainesville approved the contract by a es to nonunion shops and harassed strong union supporters more than 4-1 margin, 83-18. by giving them extra work, or punishing them for minor “To see all the joy from my coworkers—that’s what I got the best infractions. feeling from,” Johnson said. “And to know that we accomplished “This company thinks they can do whatever they want, that something we really wanted to get accomplished. We’ve done it.” drivers are a dime a dozen,”said Ronald Finch, a 12-year driver in Atlanta. “But the contract gives us a way to fight back. Now Landslide Victories we have rights instead of just having a job.” From Atlanta to Pensacola, to Mobile and Brewton, One of the biggest things workers were fighting to change at Alabama, Allied Waste/BFI members voted BFI was the “zero tolerance policy,”which allowed management overwhelmingly in favor of their to fire people for minor mistakes. Work rules changed from contracts, winning wage day-to-day, and favoritism often determined who was fired. “If you had a backing accident, regardless of how it happened and how much or how little it cost, you were fired,” said David Rider, a steward and roll-off driver in Mobile, Alabama. “Getting rid of the zero tolerance policy was one of our biggest goals, and we did get rid of it.” A New Day With the grievance procedure included in the contract, more than 450 Allied Waste/BFI workers across the South are no longer at-will employees; they have the right to challenge the unfair or meaningless charges supervisors have used to intimidate, or even fire them. “Having our union with the Teamsters has lightened the load

www.teamster.org | FEBRUARY 2006 | TEAMSTER 19 and I don’t think we will be taken refused to recognize them until the advantage of anymore,”said Robert week contracts were ratified. After McCall, a 19-year driver in Mobile. company appeals to regional and “I don’t have to wonder what today national labor boards and circuit is going to be like when I go into courts, the 130 work anymore. Now I know I can Lawrenecville/Gainesville workers have a good day.” won recognition and a contract at Besides increasing wages for all the same time. employees,“roll-off drivers,”who “The workers in Tyrone and deliver large construction dump- Bankhead never gave up on us,”said sters to area landfills, wanted to Johnson.“In negotiating meetings change the way in which they were they made sure to keep bringing us paid. Allied Waste’s notorious “zone up, they would call us to keep us pay” paid a flat rate for certain dis- informed. They waited till we got tances, regardless of how long it actually even better, but we got a voice at work, straight, and stuck with us until manage- took drivers to get from point A to seniority rights and a decent cost of living ment stopped fighting our decision to form point B. A short “pull” to the landfill could raise, because we all stuck together and our union.” take hours because of traffic or security fought the company.” Local 667 members at Waste Manage- checks, but drivers received the same pay ment in Memphis, Tennessee had a similar regardless—they could be stuck in their Southern Solidarity victory the same week, fighting off a truck, essentially working for free. The With seven different units spread out decertification vote 21-12, and ratifying a new contract forces the company to bump among 11 locations, solidarity among the new contract at the same time. up the pay rate to a longer distance for southern units, and with Teamster waste drivers who encounter large delays. members across the country, was critical Power of a Union “This contract is a foundation,”said to succeeding at the bargaining table. As negotiations dragged on, organizers Neal Zam, a steward and eight-year resi- At the Lawrenceville/Gainesville loca- and workers constantly fought off Allied dential driver in Pensacola, Florida.“The tion, workers voted for union representa- Waste/BFI’s attempts to discourage them. next one may be better, and the next one tion in April of 2004, but the company They held frequent meetings and coordi- nated job actions to remain focused on their goals. The week of Thanksgiving, Keeping The Dream Alive waste locals in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Memphis Victory is a Continuation of MLK’s Fight for Rights Washington D.C., Texas, Washington and California joined Local 728 in Atlanta and or many African-American workers at Allied Waste/BFI, their recent contract victory felt Local 991 in Mobile in picketing the com- like the continuation of a struggle that began a long time ago—1968 in Memphis to be F pany—an action that rattled management exact. It was black sanitation workers, marching for union recognition, who brought Martin and demonstrated a network of Teamster Luther King Jr. to Memphis in April of that year. support stretching across the country. His murder there enshrined their struggle in the annals of American history. “These workers are militant,”said Jim More than 30 years later, BFI workers stood side-by-side with many of the civil rights Hoffa, Teamsters General President.“They leaders who knew and worked with Dr. King, making their own demand for dignity and rights were acting like a union before they even on the job. had a union, they’ve proven to themselves Tyra Johnson, an Allied Waste driver, recently spoke at a rally and march to the State and the world the true power of worker Capitol in Atlanta to commemorate International Human Rights Day. She was joined by civil solidarity.” rights heavyweights U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Rev. Joseph Lowery, Rev. James Orange and As a final plum, the waste workers won Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. Labor Day as a paid, non-working holi- Labor Rights are Civil Rights day—a symbolic nod to the power they won through forming a union. “I talked about how our fight at Allied Waste was the same fight Martin Luther King went “Watching my back at work every day, through,” said Johnson. “All the things we went through in trying to organize, we had to fight missing time with my wife and my kids, I for our rights in the workplace.” did all of this to fight for my rights,”said Johnson, whose family is from Mississippi, its too young to have lived through the civil Tyrone residential driver Rafael Castelan. rights era, but she has long heard stories from her mother and grandmother. At the rally, she “We worked very hard, but it was worth stood side by side with the people she had heard about growing up as a child. it because we were compensated with a “Knowing that they were helping us and on our side, that was beautiful,” she said. contract. It is always worth it to fight for “I have pictures to put in my children’s books, so they can see what their momma did.” your rights.”

20 TEAMSTER | FEBRUARY 2006 | www.teamster.org ATTENTION ALL TEAMSTERS!

Article VII, § 10 of the Rules for the 2005-2006 IBT International Union Delegate and Officer Election (the “Rules”) permits accredited candidates for International office to have their campaign literature published in the Teamster magazine. The purpose of this rule is to promote fair, honest and open union elections. To become an accredited candidate for International office, an otherwise eligible member had to obtain signa- tures on petitions of at least 2.5% of the IBT membership eligible to vote for that office and submit those petitions to the Office of the Election Supervisor by December 15, 2005. For further information about the accreditation process, and to view or print certificates of candidate accreditation, go to the Election Supervisor’s website, www.ibtvote.org. Candidates on a slate may pool the magazine space allotted to each candidate. The order of presentation of each slate or candidate’s material in this magazine was determined by lot, as the Rules provide. Nominated candidates will have the right to publish campaign literature in the August 2006, September 2006, and October 2006 Teamster magazine. The ideas expressed in these materials are solely those of the accredited candidates. They do not reflect, in any way, the views of the International Brotherhood of Team- sters, any affiliated Unions, nor the Election Supervisor. Neither the IBT or the Election Supervisor altered any of these candidate materials. They come directly from the accredited candidates to the Teamster membership.

Richard W. Mark Election Supervisor

www.teamster.org | FEBRUARY 2006 | TEAMSTER 21 Tom Leedham STRONG CONTRACTS GOOD PENSIONSSLATE

eamster members deserve leaders who can bargain strong contracts, T protect their benefits and rebuild our union’s power. Hoffa has failed that test. As your General President, I will make our union stronger by putting members first. Together, we can: ■ Win Strong Contracts and Enforce Them ■ Fight Cuts in Teamster Pensions & Benefits ■ Increase Our Bargaining Power by Organizing the Nonunion Competition ■ Eliminate Dues Waste and Corruption

Accredited Members of the Tom Leedham Strong Contracts, Good Pensions Slate Tom Leedham Chris Roos Secretary-Treasurer Local 206, Oregon–General President Secretary-Treasurer Local 1035, Connecticut Dan Scott Vice President Eastern Region Secretary-Treasurer Local 174, Seattle–Vice President At-Large T.C. Bundrant President Local 549, Tennessee– Sandy Pope Vice President Southern Region President Local 805, New York–Vice President At-Large Millie Gonzalez Scott Webber Local 901, Puerto Rico–Trustee Recording Secretary/Business Agent Local 728 Atlanta–Vice President At-Large Additional Slate Members Tim Buban Secretary-Treasurer Local 200, Milwaukee Eunice Rodriguez Vice President Central Region Local 237, New York Bill Gibson John Thyer President Local 96, Washington DC–Vice President Eastern Region Secretary-Treasurer Local 604, St. Louis

Tom Leedham is working with leaders across the country to put together a diverse leadership team of strong candidates to lead our union.We will nominate an expanded slate at the 2006 Teamster Convention. Tom Leedham Will Fight For Strong Contracts HOFFA HAS FAILED THE TEST “We can’t let Hoffa negotiate another UPS contract.” “He had the best bargaining position ever in 2002 on the heels of the 1997 strike—but he settled short. Hoffa gave UPS management a six-year deal and a free pass on their 100- year anniversary. But he stuck Teamster members with pension and healthcare cuts. Excessive overtime and subcontracting go unchecked. Tom Leedham will work with UPS members and local officers to win real protections in 2008.” —Dan Scott Vice President At-Large, Secretary-Treasurer Local 174, Seattle “Hoffa has no plan to rebuild Teamster Power in freight.” “Tom Leedham has a vision for rebuilding Teamster Power in freight. We will put teeth in the grievance procedure and enforce our contract. We will fight to reverse the pension and benefit cuts. And we will organize the nonunion competition by training 1,000 Teamsters as organizers. Hoffa has failed to live up to the task. It’s time for change.” —Scott Webber Vice President At-Large Recording Secretary Local 728, Atlanta

Help Rebuild Teamster Power! Get involved in the Tom Leedham Campaign today. Contact us at: www.leedham2006.org ■ (201)234-9211

Tom Leedham Strong Contracts, Good Pensions Slate ■ 320 7th Avenue #338, Brooklyn, NY 11215 ■ www.leedham2006.org Tom Leedham Will Fight for Your Pension

“As your General President, I will launch a national campaign to reverse the pension cuts and improve Teamster pensions.” Tom Leedham’s Action Plan for Good Teamster Pensions ■ Launch a national campaign to reverse the pension cuts and improve Teamster pensions. ■ Immediately audit all major funds. End the lies and secrecy and give members the straight story about your pension funds. ■ Increase funding for pensions and health benefits. Use contract mobilizations to win higher employer contributions to the funds. Organize new members into the funds to improve benefits for all. ■ Hold trustees accountable to Teamster members. No more rubber-stamping management’s proposals for pension cuts.

“Hoffa Lied and Cut Our Benefits.” “Hoffa promised in writing that our benefits would be secure if we voted for the contracts he negotiated. That was a lie. Hoffa knew at the time the trustees were already considering pension cuts. Hoffa cut our pension and health and welfare benefits—and rolled back 25 & 30 & Out benefits. Tom Leedham has a positive plan to protect our pensions.” —Rick Sather Local 638, Minneapolis

Tom Leedham Strong Contracts, Good Pensions Slate ■ 320 7th Avenue #338, Brooklyn, NY 11215 ■ www.leedham2006.org HOFFA PROMISES A LOT IN THIS MAGAZINE, BUT WHAT HAS HE DONE FOR WORKING TEAMSTERS?

Hoffa Hype— Hoffa Reality— Taken Directly from Teamster Magazine... ABANDONED OVERNITE “I worked on the Overnite drive as an Organizer. Hoffa called a strike with no strategy to win, then abandoned the campaign. We need a leadership with a plan and ability to organize Overnite and protect Teamster jobs in freight and UPS.” —Tim Sylvester former IBT Project Organizer, Local 804, New York

FAILED TO GET THE GOVERNMENT OUT “Hoffa’s own anti-corruption director denounced him and resigned after Hoffa refused to act against allegations of organized crime influence in Chicago and embezzlement in my local. Thanks to Hoffa, we are farther than ever from getting the government out of our union.” —Tim Pagel Yellow Freight, Local 988, Houston

PENSION CUTS “Under Hoffa, hundreds of thousands of Teamsters have lost our 25 & Out and 30 & Out retirement benefits. Our pensions have been cut and the cost of our retiree healthcare has been raised.” —Nichele Fulmore UPS, Local 391, North Carolina

RECORD DUES INCREASE “Hoffa said No Dues Increase. Then, he forced through a massive dues hike with no vote of the members. Hoffa didn’t balance the budget, Teamster members did, by paying the biggest dues increase in Teamster history.” —Ernesto Perez USA Waste, Local 396, Los Angeles

Tom Leedham Strong Contracts, Good Pensions Slate ■ 320 7th Avenue #338, Brooklyn, NY 11215 ■ www.leedham2006.org These Teamster Leaders Backed Hoffa in 2001 But They’re Running With Tom Leedham in 2006!

offa has lost touch with the members and cut local union officers “H out of the loop. I see a lot of talk out of the International, but the reality is our contracts aren’t being enforced, benefits are being cut and our union is shrinking. I don’t care how much PR you put out, Teamsters know we’re headed in the wrong direction. Hoffa is still trying to get by on his last name, but at some point you have to deliver results. We need Teamster leadership that believes in accountability to the members and communication with the locals. This emperor has no clothes.” —John Thyer, Secretary-Treasurer Local 604, St. Louis Candidate, Tom Leedham Strong Contracts, Good Pensions Slate

backed Hoffa as a local officer and Convention Delegate in 2001. Hoffa “I knew where to find us when he wanted our vote. But when 23,000 public employees were in tough negotiations with the City of New York, we got no backing from Hoffa whatsoever. Too many Teamsters feel like the International Union does nothing for them. I’m running with Tom Leedham because I want a General President who will use our International’s clout to help Teamsters at the local level win strong contracts.” —Eunice Rodriguez, Local 237, New York City Candidate, Tom Leedham Strong Contracts, Good Pensions Slate

Get involved in the Tom Leedham Campaign today! Call (201) 234-9211

Tom Leedham Strong Contracts, Good Pensions Slate ■ 320 7th Avenue #338, Brooklyn, NY 11215 ■ www.leedham2006.org HOFFA DELIVERS!

“When you elected me President five years ago, our Union was on the verge of bankruptcy, hopelessly divided and facing employers who wanted to cut our contracts and destroy our Union. We fought back and won! We have added nearly 200,000 new members, negotiated the best contracts in all of labor, restored our financial health and created a real strike fund and organizing fund so members can win good contracts in the future.” We Are Growing Into A More Powerful Union

As President, Jim Hoffa has put organizing at the top of the agenda because successful organizing makes the Teamsters even stronger. We added 31,000 members from Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, 36,000 from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and 61,000 from the Graphic Communications International Union. Thousands of DHL employees across the United States, school bus drivers in North Carolina, city workers in Huntington Beach, California; waste workers across the South and America West airline workers are among the thousands of proud new members of the Teamsters.

New members add to all our financial and political strength. Growth gives us greater bargaining power with employers on behalf of all members. Hoffa Created A Real Strike Fund

“Five years ago, we had no real strike fund. Employers knew they could dictate contract terms because they knew we couldn’t carry off the threat of a long strike. Jim Hoffa made the strike fund real again. It now has more than $60 million and can pay weekly out-of-work benefits of 10 times your hourly wage. Employers now know we can take them on and win a strike if we are forced to.” — John Freeman, Shop Steward, Waste Management, Local 701, Trenton , NJ

Go to www.Hoffa2006.com to join Hoffa2006 and help re-elect Jim Hoffa President Hoffa and the Teamsters Have Delivered Strong Contracts for Members

“The NMFA five year freight contract was $1.7 billion, $700 million more than our last contract. One of the things I like best is that it restored “the Hammer” provision we lost during the last negotiations when Carey was President. Hoffa got us back our hammer, which gives the union the right to strike over deadlocked grievances.” —Mark Mehling, USF Holland, Local 200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin UPS Director Ken Hall And Jim Hoffa Fight For UPS Teamsters

“The recent UPS contract is worth ten billion dollars more than the previous contract. It increases wages and includes a new cost of living formula that protects members from inflation. It creates 10,000 new full-time jobs, which makes a big difference. It makes it harder for UPS management to force our employees to work brutal hours, to use supervisors to do Teamster work and to outsource feeder jobs. We've shown that with the support of the members we can take on UPS and win.” —Jim Hoffa and Ken Hall Go to www.Hoffa2006.com to join Hoffa2006 and help re-elect Jim Hoffa President “3-Time Loser” Tom Leedham Leedham Trying to Wreck Teamster Unity

“3-Time Loser” Tom Leedham spends every day tearing down our union on his TDU website. Leedham is hurting the union. When we try to organize new members, employers go to TDU’s website and print out his anti- Teamster material to hand out to their workers. Loser Leedham Linked to Employer Funding

Shareholders in anti-union corporations dedicated to destroying the Teamsters are bankrolling the Tom Leedham campaign! Investigators have discovered that TDU/TRF receives thousands of dollars in funding from the mysterious “New World Foundation,” which in turn owns millions of dollars in stock in companies such as: Wal-Mart, the number one anti-union employer in North America. Safeway Corp., which tried to break Southern California Teamsters in a prolonged strike over healthcare cuts. Leedham’s only job is to weaken the Teamsters internally so that the big corporations can take back what the Union has fought so hard to achieve.

NEW WORLD FOUNDATION GRANTS — for the year ended September, 30, 2002 Unpaid balance Unpaid Balance Grants Change of September 30, October 1, 2001 Authorized Sponsor Reverted Payments 2002 Teamster Rank and File Education and Legal Defense Fdn P.O. Box 10303 $0 $15,000 $0 $0 $15,000 $0 Detroit, MI 48210 Leedham Lost 17% Of Members In His Own Local!

Tom Leedham is losing If Leedham’s own local is members at an alarming rate falling apart can you imagine in his own local. the disaster he would be Department of Labor records running the International show Leedham’s Local 206 Union? dropped from 3,500 members The last three times Leedham to 2,900 in just five years. has run for national office he Members have even voted has been soundly rejected by to decertify from his local the membership. Don't let this due to his weak leadership weak complainer wreck and poor representation. Teamster unity.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Union Detail 042-547 TEAMSTERS LOCAL UNION 206 1860 NE 162ND AVENUE, PORTLAND, OR 97230

DATE RECEIVEDFILING TYPE FISCAL YEAR ASSETS LIABILITIES RECEIPTS DISBURSEMENTS MEMBERSHIP Mar 23, 2005 LM-2 2004 Report $1,139,790 $0 $1,622,646 $1,652,107 2,900 Mar 22, 2004 LM-2 2003 Report $1,168,149 $0 $1,653,624 $1,643,583 2,800 Mar 18, 2003 LM-2 2002 Report $1,116,669 $0 $1,517,964 $1,498,182 3,200 Apr 09, 2002 LM-2 2001 Report $1,144,713 $12 $1,380,274 $1,530,052 3,200 Apr 02, 2001 LM-2 2000 Report $1,232,796 $0 $1,387,242 $1,442,218 3,500 Don’t Support “3-Time Loser” Tom Leedham Or TDU! Jim Hoffa Tom Keegel SLATE Local 614/Pontiac, MI Local 120/Minneapolis, MN General President General Secretary-Treasurer

Randy Cammack Fred Gegare Ken Hall Carl Haynes Ralph Taurone Local 63/Los Angeles, CA Local 75/Green Bay, WI LU 175/South Charleston, WV Local 237/New York, NY Local 222/Salt Lake City, UT VP-At-Large VP-At-Large VP-At-Large VP-At-Large VP-At-Large

Robert Bouvier Tom Fraser Don McGill Pat Flynn Walt Lytle Local 1999/Montreal, QE LU 419/Mississauga, ON LU 213/Vancouver, BC Local 710/Chicago, IL Local 414/Wayne, IN VP-Canada VP-Canada VP-Canada VP-Central Region VP-Central Region

Jack Cipriani John Murphy Tyson Johnson Ken Wood Al Hobart Local 391/Greensboro, NC Local 122/Boston, MA Local 745/Dallas, TX Local 79/Tampa, FL Local 760/Yakima, WA VP-East Region VP-East Region VP-South Region VP-South Region VP-West Region

Chuck Mack Jim Santangelo Frank Gallegos Henry Perry Local 70/Oakland, CA Local 545/Los Angeles, CA Local 890/Salinas, CA LU 667/Memphis, TN VP-West Region VP-West Region Trustee Trustee For Hoffa Gear (shirts, hats, etc.) go to www.Hoffa2006.com or call 1-800-562-5766. I want to help re-elect the Hoffa 2006 team!

Name ______

Address ______

City______State ______Zip ______

Local______Phone ______

Send me campaign updates at my email address: ______

Mail to: Hoffa-Keegel 2006, PO Box 77131, Washington, DC 20013-7131 IRB REPORT 91

barred Mr. Kikes from holding membership in, contracting REPORT 91 TO ALL MEMBERS with, consulting with and/or seeking or holding office, OF THE INTERNATIONAL position or employment, directly or indirectly, with the IBT BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS or any other IBT-affiliated entity or Fund; permanently barred him from seeking or accepting money or other com- FROM: Independent Review Board pensation from the IBT or any other IBT-affiliated entity or Benjamin R. Civiletti Fund; permanently barred him from participating in the Joseph E. diGenova affairs of the IBT or any other IBT-affiliated entity or William H. Webster Funds or any of its sponsored benefit plans; and perma- nently barred Mr. Kikes from contact and association with DATED: December 7, 2005 officers, members, employees, representatives and agents I. INTRODUCTION of the IBT or any other IBT-affiliated entity or Fund. This is the Independent Review Board’s (“IRB”) Nine- Counsel to Mr. Kikes notified the IRB that Mr. Kikes ty-first Report to you on its activities conducted pursuant wished to appeal the decision of the IBT. The IRB to the Consent Order. In this Report, we will discuss mat- approved the request and asked counsel to submit his ters that have currently come before us, including a mem- appeal and the Chief Investigator to submit his memoran- ber’s action prior to IRB proposed charges and the status dum on the appeal to the IRB. The appeal documents are of pending charges about which we have previously under review by the IRB. informed you. We will also discuss the status of an Infor- B. SERGIO SALCEDO–LOCAL 714, BERWYN, mation Report which does not contain charges but was ILLINOIS issued to the IBT as a means of providing information on We have previously informed you that Local 714 mem- irregularities requiring action by the IBT. ber Sergio Salcedo allegedly brought reproach upon the II. MEMBER ACTION PRIOR TO IRB PRO- IBT by failing to appear for his scheduled in-person sworn POSED CHARGES examination. The charge was filed, a hearing was held and the Local 714 Executive Board found Mr. Salcedo JOSEPH YANNUCCI–LOCAL 813, LONG guilty as charged. On October 27, 2005, the Executive ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK Board suspended him from the Local for one year. After Before formal charges could be recommended by the the IRB questioned the one-year penalty, the Executive IRB to the IBT on his not appearing for a sworn examina- Board revised its decision and permanently barred him tion, Local 813 member Joseph Yannucci submitted an from the IBT and all IBT Entities. The IRB has asked the agreement to the IRB. The Chief Investigator had planned Executive Board whether it intended to include the stan- to question Mr. Yannucci regarding, among other things, dard language regarding employment and other benefits his membership in Local 813 and whether he had any that the IRB has previously instructed the IBT to include contact with individuals who have ties to organized crime. in sanctions relating to those suspended or permanently In the agreement Mr. Yannucci agreed to permanently barred. resign from Local 813 and the IBT. The IRB found the agreement served to resolve the matter. On November 10, C. JOSEPH L. BERNSTEIN–LOCAL 781, DES 2005, United States District Judge Preska approved the PLAINES, ILLINOIS We have previously informed you that Local 781 Presi- agreement. dent and Joint Council 25 Vice President Joseph L. Bern- III. STATUS OF PREVIOUS IRB CHARGES stein allegedly brought reproach upon the IBT and violat- ed his membership oath when, subsequent to William T. A. JOHN KIKES–LOCAL 78, HAYWARD, Hogan, Jr.’s permanent bar from the IBT, he had knowing CALIFORNIA and purposeful contact with him. The IBT hearing panel We have previously informed you that John Kikes, found Mr. Bernstein guilty as charged. General President International Representative and Local 78 President, Hoffa adopted the hearing panel’s recommendation and allegedly brought reproach upon the IBT when, subse- prohibited Mr. Bernstein from ever reclaiming member- quent to William T. Hogan, Jr.’s permanent bar from the ship in the IBT or participating in the affairs of any IBT IBT, he had knowing and purposeful contact with him. affiliates but he was not prohibited from contact and asso- General President Hoffa filed the charges against Mr. ciation with IBT officers, members, employees, represen- Kikes and appointed a hearing panel. A hearing was held tatives and agents with respect to matters that do not September 15 and 16, 2005. involve union business. By decision of October 20, 2005, Mr. Hoffa accepted The IRB notified Mr. Hoffa that given Mr. Bernstein’s the recommendation of the hearing panel and permanently conduct the IRB found the sanction imposed upon him

38 TEAMSTER | FEBRUARY 2006 | www.teamster.org IRB REPORT 91

inadequate. In its decision of October 11, 2005, the IRB accountant. The reimbursement amount from Local 445 found that the proper sanction for Mr. Bernstein’s undis- to the trust fund was determined to be $21,923.54 and puted conduct was a permanent bar from all IBT associa- repayments should start in January 2006. tions. Therefore, Mr. Bernstein has been permanently barred from holding membership in or any position with V. TOLL-FREE HOTLINE the IBT or any IBT-affiliated entity or Funds; he may not Since our last report to you, the hotline has received hereafter obtain employment, consulting or other work, approximately 55 calls reporting alleged improprieties. As directly or indirectly, with the IBT or any IBT-affiliated in the past, all calls which appeared to fall within IRB entity; and Mr. Bernstein is barred from contact and asso- jurisdiction were referred for investigation. Activities ciation with IBT officers, members, employees, represen- which should be reported for investigation include, but tatives and agents. The IRB decision is with United States are not limited to, association with organized crime, cor- District Court Judge Preska for review. ruption, racketeering, embezzlement, extortion, assault, or failure to investigate any of these. D. ROBERT D’ANGELO–LOCAL 813, LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK To assure that all calls are treated confidentially, the In the last issue of the Teamster magazine we informed system recording hotline calls is located in a cipher-locked you that the IRB issued an Investigative Report to General IRB room on a dedicated line and accessed by IRB staff President Hoffa concerning Local 813 member Robert only. It is not manned by an investigator; however, the D’Angelo. Mr. Hoffa adopted and filed the charges recorded information if complete and within IRB jurisdic- against Mr. D’Angelo for knowingly associating with tion is forwarded directly to the Investigations Office. members of organized crime and he referred the charges Please continue to use the toll-free hotline to report back to the IRB for a hearing. An IRB hearing scheduled improprieties which fall within IRB jurisdiction by calling for December 6, 2005, has been rescheduled, pursuant to 1-800-CALL-IRB (1-800-225-5472). If you are calling a request by counsel to Mr. D’Angelo, to January 13, from within Washington, DC, dial 202-434-8085. 2006. VI.CONCLUSION IV. INFORMATION REPORT As always, our task is to ensure that the goals of the Consent Order are fulfilled. In doing so, it is our desire to LOCAL 445 ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES TO keep the IBT membership fully informed about our activi- BENEFIT FUNDS ties. If you have any information concerning allegations of We have previously informed you that the IRB issued a wrongdoing or corruption, you may call the toll-free hot- non-charge Report to IBT General Counsel Patrick Szy- line noted above, you may use the IRB facsimile number manski concerning the allocation of Local expenses to the Local’s Benefit Funds. For years, despite the IBT’s direc- 202-434-8084, or you may write to either the IRB Chief tives that cost-sharing agreements be well documented, Investigator or the IRB office: the Union Trustees, who are Local officers and employees, Charles M. Carberry, Chief Investigator permitted the Benefit Funds to reimburse the Local for 17 Battery Place, Suite 331 expenses that were unsubstantiated by any written docu- New York, NY 10004 mentation. The evidence indicated that the Trustees breached their fiduciary duties to the Funds in permitting Independent Review Board unjustified payments to the Local. 444 North Capitol Street, N.W. Local 445 implemented a revised cost-sharing agree- Suite 528 ment which is being administered by an independent Washington, DC 20001

www.teamster.org | FEBRUARY 2006 | TEAMSTER 39 AP WIDE WORLD

“We Shall Not Be

Moved”LOCAL 922 CELEBRATES THE LIFE OF ROSA PARKS ROSA PARKS, James Washington joined them. This 1957 out of cars and lined the road, bridges, a quiet woman restored ceremonial bus fell in behind the everywhere to see the procession pass by. who ignited the hearse, with no riders as a symbolic trib- In the city as we traveled near the Capitol, civil rights move- ute to the civil rights pioneer. As the people came out of their houses, school ment by refusing to motorcade progressed, this bus was filled children were brought out and there was give up her seat on with flowers and wreaths from mourners. singing and cheering for her. I will always a bus in 1955, died remember this as one of the most moving on October 24 at A Moving Experience experiences of my life.” the age of 92. Parks “This experience marks the height of my was an inspiration career,”said Washington, a 40-year mem- Equality, Dignity and Respect

AP WIDE WORLD to a generation of ber of Local 922.“It was an honor to be The vintage bus, which now has a memor- young activists as her simple act of defi- chosen. I was also honored to drive the ial plaque on its side and a silhouette of ance awoke the conscience of the nation. bus on December 1 when the bus was offi- Parks in her famous seat, will be used in Local 922 in Washington, D.C. was able cially dedicated to Mrs. Parks. I was the future for special events and parades. to honor Parks in a special way. Four pleased that Teamsters were the ones to After Parks passed away in October, senior drivers from the Washington Met- ferry Mrs. Parks to the ceremonies honor- the Teamsters and all the unions in the ropolitan Area Transit Authority—all ing her. With our civil rights history it Change to Win federation lowered their members of Local 922—were selected to seemed fitting.” flags in her honor. For those in the labor participate in the memorial procession “I have never seen anything like the movement, honoring Rosa Parks means and other ceremonies honoring Parks in turnout for Mrs. Parks at all the events— much more than saluting the brave act of Washington, D.C. and I have driven in inaugural parades and a woman 50 years ago. Her actions still Three of the drivers, Rudy Gardner, other big occasions,”said Gardner, Vice reverberate because she always shared the Robert Miles and Willie Lawrence, accom- President of Local 922 and a 19-year mem- same beliefs that the labor movement panied Parks’ body and her family as part ber.“There were more than 50 vehicles holds dear. Her fight for equality, dignity of a large motorcade from the airport into with us in the motorcade and the Parkway and respect is the same fight of the Team- Washington, D.C. As the motorcade was closed for us all the way through. But sters Union as civil rights and workers’ neared the Capitol, a special bus driven by people did not get angry. Instead, they got rights go hand in hand.

40 TEAMSTER | FEBRUARY 2006 | www.teamster.org ELECTION SUPERVISOR’S REPORT

CONVENTION DELEGATE NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS ARE HAPPENING NOW NEW RULE REQUIRES IBT GENERAL PRESIDENT CANDIDATE FORUM RULES BOOKLETS AVAILABLE NOW

Open Season for Delegate Nominations and the Election Supervisor’s website. Each delegate Elections – Hundreds of IBT locals held conven- and alternate delegate certified as elected will tion delegate nomination meeting in January. For receive a letter from the Election Supervisor con- information on the results of those meetings, go firming that fact. Any member may contact a del- to the “Dates, Times, and Places” chart under egate or alternate delegate to the IBT convention. “Delegate Elections” on Election Supervisor’s A member needing contact information for a del- website, www.ibtvote.org. There, you can find egate may ask the delegate’s local union, or may out if there is a contested election for delegate obtain that information from the Election Super- and alternate delegate in your local, and dates visor’s Office. when ballots will be mailed out and counted. If New Rule on Candidate Forums – A new rule, the number of candidates nominated was the applicable for the first time in the 2006 IBT Inter- same as the number of delegates to be elected, the national Officer Election, requires the Election nominees are deemed elected and the “Dates, Supervisor to hold “at least one candidate forum Times, and Places” chart will note a “White Bal- for all nominated candidates for the office of lot” for the local union. There is no mail ballot General President.” You can read the new rule after a “White Ballot.” (Article VII, Sec. 6) in the version of the Rules Delegate candidates are conducting campaigns published at www.ibtvote.org. The new rule now, and campaigning will continue through at requires a candidate forum for all candidates least April 30, 2006 when the election period nominated at the IBT International Convention ends. All union members have the right to cam- for the office of General President, and requires paign actively for delegate and alternate delegate that the forum to be held between August 14 and candidates and candidates for IBT international September 1, 2006. Details of the required Gener- office, without fear of reprisal or retaliation. Basi- al President candidates’ forum – including loca- cally, the Rules protect the rights of candidates tion, time, format, and how it will be made avail- and their supporters to distribute information, able to the IBT membership – remain to be decid- and the rights of members to receive campaign ed and will be addressed later this year. Any sug- information. The Rules provide candidates with gestions you have about the required General the right to distribute campaign material using President candidates’ forum may be sent to the the local union mailing list (at the candidate’s Election Supervisor’s office by mail or email. expense), to display literature on tables or bul- Rules Booklets – A pocket-sized version of the letin boards at local union meeting halls, to get Rules is available on request. Multiple copies of information about collective bargaining agree- the booklet have been sent to each local union. ments and worksite locations, and to campaign in You may obtain one from your local or request a employer parking lots. Read Art. VII of the 2006 copy from the Election Supervisor’s office. Span- Rules for a description of the political and cam- ish and French pocket-sized versions of the Rules paigning rights of members and candidates. Vio- are also available on request from the Election lation of candidate or member rights protected by Supervisor’s office. the Rules can be protested, and may subject the vio- lator to sanctions. Up-to-date information for both the Election Supervisor’s headquarters and the Regional As delegate election results are certified, the Directors may be found at www.ibtvote.org. name and local union affiliation of each elected delegate will be posted to the list of Certified Richard W. Mark Convention delegates and alternate delegates on Election Supervisor